inflame

Also en·flame

[in-fleym]

verb (used with object)

inflamed, inflaming 

1. to kindle or excite (passions, desires, etc.).

2. to arouse to a high degree of passion or feeling.

   His harangue inflamed the rabble.

   Antonyms: soothe, cool

3. to incite or rouse, as to violence.

   His words inflamed the angry mob to riot.

4. (of an emotion, as rage) to cause to redden or grow heated.

   Uncontrollable rage inflamed his face.

5. to cause inflammation in.

   Her eyes were inflamed with crying.

6. to raise (the blood, bodily tissue, etc.) to a morbid or feverish heat.

7. to set aflame, ablaze, or afire; set on fire.

8. to redden with or as with flames.

   The setting sun inflames the sky.

verb (used without object)

inflamed, inflaming 

1. to burst into flame; take fire.

2. to be kindled, as passion.

3. to become hot with passion, as the heart.

4. to become excessively affected with inflammation.

inflame

/ ɪnˈfleɪm /

verb

1. to arouse or become aroused to violent emotion

2. (tr) to increase or intensify; aggravate

3. to produce inflammation in (a tissue, organ, or part) or (of a tissue, etc) to become inflamed

4. to set or be set on fire; kindle

5. (tr) to cause to redden

Other Word Forms

• inflamer noun
• inflamingly adverb
• inflamedness noun
• reinflame verb
• uninflamed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflame¹

First recorded in 1300–50; in- ² + flame; replacing Middle English enflammen, from Middle French enflammer, from Latin inflammāre “to kindle”

Synonym Study

See incite. See kindle ¹.

Example Sentences

But his decision caused a political crisis in Thailand, inflaming tensions over their border, which last month erupted into a five-day war that killed more than 40 people.

From BBC

Johnson added that the "unlawful deployment" could "inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement", and threaten the progress the city has made in reducing crime.

From BBC

The restrictions mostly make sense: coffee can spike stress, eggs and wheat affect blood sugar, meat can inflame, and some fruits and vegetables irritate sensitive stomachs.

From Salon

The troops saw little action, and local leaders said the deployment was unnecessary and only served to inflame tensions.

From Los Angeles Times

Certainly, Hilty appeared to be having real problems, which ChatGPT, with its programmed tendency to validate users’ views and opinions, undoubtedly inflamed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitate 
• arouse 
• disturb 
• embitter 
• enrage 
• exacerbate 
• fire up 
• foment 
• heat up 
• ignite 
• incense 
• infuriate 
• intensify 
• irritate 
• kindle 
• provoke 
• rile 
• roil 
• rouse 
• stimulate